A STOURBRIDGE glass artist is one of 77 people to have been selected for a coveted place in the 2015 British Glass Biennale.

Vic Bamforth has secured his place in the country’s leading exhibition of contemporary glass, which will form part this year’s International Festival of Glass.

He said: “To have made it onto the shortlist for the British Glass Biennale is a great achievement in itself and I am delighted that my work will be exhibited along with many other master glass artists from around the country.

“It is wonderful that studio glass is being championed through the biennale and in the International Festival of Glass.”

Vic has been working as a glass artist for the past 10 years and his competition pieces ‘The Strongest Links’ and ‘Ooz Going To Dudley Zoo’ showcase the technique of hand painted blown Graal.

He was put through a rigorous selection process by the Biennale panel which had to choose the final exhibitors from more than 200 applicants.

Vic and his fellow exhibitors will be vying for first place in one of eight awards which are on offer, with the most prestigious being the British Glass Biennale Prize.

All the award winners, with the exception of two, will be announced at the Biennale private view on May 27.

Elisabeth Johnson, International Festival of Glass project director said: “The quality of submissions was remarkable and the jury had a really tough time creating the shortlist.

“We were impressed with the variety of styles and range of techniques on offer and were particularly pleased to see so many student submissions, showing that the appetite for studio glass continues to grow.

“I can’t wait to see the final exhibition and am on tenterhooks for the awards evening on May 27.”

This year’s British Glass Biennale takes place between May 28 and June 28 as part of the four-day International Festival of Glass 2015, which is being held at various venues in Stourbridge glass quarter from May 28 to 31.